Restored 19th Century Steamer Trunk into Coffee Table

I got this magnificent late19th Century trunk from an antique dealer that assured me that it belonged to an actress that used to perform in Barcelona's Liceu Theater around 1900s. Wether that's true or not, this antique chest is certainly a beauty!

The style of this low trunk is called 'Steamer Trunk', and this particular one was handcrafted in Cuba, using pinewood for the structure, beech wood slats, tin sheet to protect the bottom, printed paper for the inside, leather straps and handles... the pretty ornated brass metalwork includes corner bumpers, hasps and edge clamps. Check the pictures below and the 'making of' section for further details!

To turn it into a practical coffee table I have added a thick glass top that is secured to the lid of the trunk with clamps, plus built a structure made out of reclaimed hardwood beams to function as legs.

Measures of the trunk: 101 x 61cm, 31,5cm high. Coffee Table eight: 48cm.

Detail of the maker's label inside the trunk: 'La Central' was founded in 1880 and was based in Santiago de Cuba

The Eagle Lock Company, established since 1833 in Terryville, CT (USA), was by the end of the 19th Century the largest trunk and cabinet lock maker in the world, and stayed at the forefront of padlock security for a few decades.

Here on the left, the trunk before its restoration, resting on the hardwood beams that were also yet to be treated.




Below: sanding the wooden slats and polishing all the metal bits: edge clamps, corner bumpers, lock, drawbolts...

(one of the beautiful drawbolts, before and during polishing)

All the leather strap tabs and straps got treated and nourished with cream as well

Sealing the whole piece, inside and out, with clear varnish - it got polished afterwards (not shown)

Building the legs out of hardwood beams. For further strenght and stability, they are linked with a 4x4 pinewood lath, joined to the legs with wooden dowels (cheers to Matt for the idea!)

The stouty legs are screwed to the bottom of the trunk, the picture on the right shows the screw covers, reclaimed from old drawers.

The final stages: fastening the glass top to the lid by means of nicely shaped edge clamps that were weathered here in the workshop to match the look of the trunk.